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Saturday, February 04, 2012

to everything there is a season

With a heavy heart I said a final farewell to my grandmother last week. She had been failing for a while, and we knew that her time was limited, so I booked a flight for last weekend to say good-bye. Sadly, this did not come to pass, and we ended up driving across the Wisconsin woods and Minnesota prairies for a funeral instead. I should have taken pictures of the fantastic icicles dripping down the bluffs along the Mississippi River, or the surreal image of hundreds of windmills dotting the prairie, or even the thick fog rolling across the snowy fields.

Seeing family and friends was a comfort, as was sharing favorite memories. Good-bye, Grandma Max -- we'll miss you, your ever-present smile, and the twinkle in your eye, but we know that you lived a good, long life.

She loved to make quilts, and she made a handmade quilt for each of her
children, as well as her grandchildren. She also embroidered many
towels. She enjoyed canning pickles. While a resident of Tuff Nursing
Home, she enjoyed playing cards, especially “Kings in a Corner” with her
daughter. She will be remembered by her family and friends for her
delicious sugar cookies, as well as for her homemade lefse.

Grandma Max was a hard worker, as all farmers are -- driving tractor, cleaning the cream separator, butchering chickens, feeding the barn cats, crocheting slippers, and baking up a storm. Her sugar cookie recipe truly is legendary. These cookies are short and crisp -- quite unlike garden-variety sugar cookie cut-outs.

- Cream sugars and butter; add eggs, then oil and vanilla.
- Sift dry ingredients and add to creamed mixture. Chill overnight.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Roll spoonfuls into small balls, then drop on cookie sheet, and press with a glass that has been dipped in white sugar.
- Baking time depends on thickness of cookies. Don't let them get brown, just a hint at the edges!
- Makes about 3 dozen.

28 comments:

Oh Jodi, I'm so sad & sorry for your loss. Your Grandma Max has such a sweet face - reminds me a little of my sweet mom. It is so kind of you to share your special family cookie recipe. I will surely make some asap. I haven't heard anyone describe a cookie as being "short" in quite a while -- takes me right back to my mom's kitchen.Blessings,G

That puts tears in my eyes, and also a smile in my heart as to this day I carry my grandmother with me. What a wonderful woman who left such a legacy and you are part of it. How rich your family is to have all of her memories around you. I'm so sorry for your loss Jodi.

She sounds like a wonderful lady. Losing loved ones is never easy, but I'm glad you were able to spend time celebrating Grandma Max together with the rest of your family. And these cookies! Just a small part of her legacy, I'm sure. Thinking of you guys.

So sorry to hear about your grandma, Jodi. She sounds like an amazing person! I will absolutely make her sugar cookies; they are the sort of cookie that my boys love. Thanks for sharing part of your family with us.